Blue Island home sealed off as possible meth lab

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a hazmat situation in Blue Island Thursday night. (Tribune / Chris Sweda)

Authorities in south suburban Blue Island sealed off a home Thursday night they say was the scene of a chemical spill and may have been a meth lab.

Police and fire officials responding to a home in the 12700 block of South Hoyne Avenue encountered a man who appeared disoriented by chemicals inside, according to Mayor Donald Peloquin.

After determining the man had been mixing unknown chemicals inside, authorities sealed off the home and requested the assistance of a hazardous materials team, the mayor said.

"Whether it was just some guy mixing chemicals, if it was a meth lab, if it was something else, they didn't know, so they were just being cautious. (Authorities) called out everybody just to be safe," Peloquin said.

Officials suspected that sulfuric acid had spilled, but were awaiting confirmation, Peloquin said.

Near the scene of the spill, authorities have erected a free-standing decontamination tent. Onlookers are being kept a block away, though residents on the block have been allowed to stay.